Moama honours those who served and died in war

Sub-branch president Ken Jones said he was pleased that the gardens could be used as a space to reflect and preserve memories of veterans who have put their lives on the line.

“We made a promise to remember those who served and those who died. And for more than a hundred years we have kept that promise,” Mr Jones said.

Special guest and former editor of The Riv Andrew Mole shared his own story of coincidental connection through service.

He spoke of the time he authored an article, which detailed the story of his great-uncle Clinton Carlisle Tainsh, who was shot down on the Western Front in 1917.

After the article was published, Mr Mole was contacted by the Nicholson family who had its own story about Clinton Tainsh.

In 2015, more than 102,000 poppies — each with a fallen soldier’s name — were planted in Penrith, Western Sydney, as part of a memorial called Poppy Park.

The family purchased a randomly selected poppy from the park that was boxed and sent out to them.

Inscribed on the Nicholsons’ poppy was Clinton Tainsh’s name.

Through this bizarre chance event, two families would revive the memory of a long lost soldier who sacrificed his life for the nation.

It is a tale that truly aligned with the spirit of Remembrance Day.